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Yes win/win/win. This is the most ethical option I've read on social media. Actually the only. I stopped subscribing to influencers once I realized that they weren't just sharing photos of cool outfits they'd created, which I loved seeing, but monetizing their closet at subscribers expense. I wasn't interested in contributing to that. They don't need the $50 a year I could otherwise use for a literary journal or a box of Pampers. I work too hard for that $50 and while I often give away money frivolously (the $6 latte), I'm not down for paying to be hustled. So yes, Dacy. Win. And thank you.

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author

😘😘😘

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Sep 17·edited Sep 17Liked by Dacy Gillespie

Washington, DC DRESS FOR SUCCESS.

This gives an idea of what they're looking for.

CLOTHING ACCEPTED -

Interview appropriate suits

Interview appropriate blouses and shells

Professional separates including blouses, slacks, skirts, dresses, blazers and jackets

Business dresses

Work appropriate shoes, especially size 9 and above, flats, and wide shoes

We especially need size 18-32

Dress Khaki pants, solid polo style tops, or scrubs

Purses, jewelry, scarves, padfolios

Metro cards (pre-loaded)

Winter coats (larger sizes especially needed)

Simple, classic jewelry such as pearls, plain gold or silver earrings and necklaces

Padfolios

CLOTHING NOT ACCEPTED -

Non Professional Clothing (party dresses, evening gowns, sandals, denim, shorts, capris)

Clothing that is out of season

Clothing that is three years or older

Items that are stained, worn, or damaged

Men's or children's attire

Clothing in bags or boxes

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founding

I am sure you know about the STL NCJW. When I lived in St Louis, this was clearly a spot where larger sized women shopped for dress clothes. The prices were great. Have you donated your gifted items there?

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author

I haven't. So many worthy causes!

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founding

Ooh thank you for talking about Dress for Success. I just looked up the location near me in Baltimore and I will be sending all my donations there going forward - I was always looking for a good spot to send my clothes since I know it is really hard to find things in my sizes (3x/4x).

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author

Yay, I know they'll appreciate it so much! And at least my location takes casual clothes as well, because women need those too.

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Thanks so much Dacy for writing about this. I've been thinking about re-selling/my time/perceived value of clothes a lot as this as I've tried to focus a bit more on reselling on Poshmark while being at home with this new baby, and it's just SO MUCH WORK. I also heard/connected so many of the systemic issues at play when it comes to dressing oneself adjacent to influencing and getting clothes from brands- from fast fashion and poorly made clothes that were never designed for our bodies (not to mention the human labor and environmental repercussions) and the personal toll it takes on you and others to deal with these items. I love that you are donating them to Dress for Success. I feel like this is a good example of how a circular economic system could be. Influencing is just such a weird "job" to begin with!!!!

PS I already deleted the email re making space, but is it too late to join this Friday start cohort? I am struggling so much with yet ANOTHER new body, buying lots of things to try to find something I feel good in so many clothes I loved not fitting anymore, but also super sentimental about things and also just the struggle of - what do I even like anymore?

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